A coalition of Islamic militants overthrew the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The challenge now is governing an ethnically and religiously diverse population, war-weary and in dire need of stability. What kind of state will Syria become? The new government must balance Islamic ideology with state power and civic rights. In the July issue of the Journal of Democracy, Andrew F. March contends that a novel brand of Islamic presidentialism may be on the horizon.
Syria is at a critical juncture. It’s up to the new government — and the people — to chart a more inclusive, transparent, and prosperous way forward. The Journal of Democracy essays below examine the challenges and opportunities Syria now faces.
What Kind of State for Syria?
Syria is a rare case. A state being governed by a new elite that is committed to Islamic thought but open to a wide range of intellectual influences. While it is early, we may see the rise of a novel brand of Islamic presidentialism in the works.
Andrew F. March“Forever Has Fallen”: The End of Syria’s Assad
Syrians rejoiced when Bashar al-Assad’s regime fell. After decades of dictatorship and civil war, Syrians must now rebuild their country while seeking justice for the victims of authoritarian rule.
Lisa WedeenWhy Syria’s Civil Society Is the Key
After the collapse of the Assad regime, Syria stands at a crossroads. Nothing is assured, but the country’s civil society is its best hope for charting a democratic future.
Rana B. Khoury and Wendy PearlmanRebuilding the State in Post-Assad Syria
Despite a brutal thirteen-year civil war, Syrians are not building from scratch. In fact, Syria has a long and rich history of state-building to guide them.
Daniel NeepHope and Fear in Syria
The brutal regime of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad fell in a week. Syrians have been preparing for this moment for years.
Elizabeth Parker-Magyar
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Image credit: Izzeddin Kasim/Anadolu via Getty Images